The weather has sucked royally lately. It poured like crazy yesterday. Today, it was cold and windy again. Still, I finally forced myself out after dinner. I convinced myself that I could just handle 4 easy miles at Jacobsburg.
I wore a long sleeve shirt under my shell. I had on shorts. Since it wasn't as windy as at home, I was a little hot. The attire worked out good though.
I had no real plan on what route to take. I normally don't run this short there. I decided to go straight across from the main lot. I usually do a loop farther out. This early part today is fun with a neat curved trail.
I thought I heard a couple mountain bikers earlier. Then, I was startled a few minutes later, when they actually passed me on this stretch. They slowly went ahead. I had rushed out the door after eating, so I didn't feel great. I felt heavy.
I continued on though. I ran slowly along the trail next to Route 33. I decided I would just loop around this area. It seemed like I was going slowly. I started to not feel so great.
Things got bad as I went downhill. I had to stop and hike. Normally, that makes the urge to go to the bathroom go away. It didn't today, so I had to go in the woods. That's only the 2nd time that has ever happened to me.
Since I was only 1.33 miles or so into the run, I decided to just start over. I'd run 4 miles from the point where I stopped. I decided to head back a little different way. I did feel better now.
I wasn't moving all that fast though. I cruised along and eventually went past the red barn and crossed the road. I decided I'd go up the fun ridge part. I normally run this the other way.
While it was fun, it was a challenge too. It seemed like a bit of a climb. I ran up over the tree roots, instead of down them. I saw a young girl walking. What I didn't see was her newborn puppy. I had to go around it, without much room.
There weren't many people out. This family was the only ones I saw on the ridge. I thought about heading back to the parking lot, instead, I continued my normal route through here, but in reverse. I was around 2 miles now.
When I was about to turn and go down the hill, I changed my mind. I followed the trail. I wasn't even 100% sure where it would go. I was pretty confident that it would come out near the end of the field section. That would add some distance.
It was nice to run some different trails. I normally just use as much of the perimeter as I can, to get mileage in. I was just below one of the controlled burn sections. The wind below some of that in my direction.
There was a blowdown that I had to jump over on the trail. I saw horse tracks there, but then didn't jump, so I guess the horse went through before the tree went down. I was correct in that I came out where I thought I would.
I turned right and was headed back toward my car. I ran past the main building. A ranger was leading some families on some sort of hike. I ran past and got back to the parking lot. Right at the end of the lot, I hit mile 3.
I would head out and back on the main trail for the final mile. A bunch of people were fishing near the bridge. It was an uneventful lonely run along the creek. I was planning on turning at mile 3.55.
I saw the puppy dog and family just before. I turned around at mile 3.47 instead. I cruised on back. I finished up perfectly at the end of the trail and mile 4.
It was a solid, short run, even if it was interrupted. The leg has been rested and feels good now. I still won't overdo it though. I'm glad I made myself at least run a little on this evening.
Tomorrow, I'm hoping to run again. Kate and I think Kristin are planning on running at Trexler at 6:30 AM. There is no way I could get up for that, so I'll try to just stay up all night. It is supposed to be cold and then snow a lot of the day tomorrow. That should be interesting. I'm hoping I make it and get the 11 miles in.
Part 1 1.33 miles - 14:35 (10:58 pace) 109 feet of elevation gain
Part 2 4 miles - 38:52 (9:43 pace) 246 feet of elevation gain
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